“Happy Camper, i could not agree with you more, Long Live The Circus. I don't believe we have any bad or nasty circuses here in the UK. The RSPCA independant report and the DEFRA/Circus Working Group/Radford Report tells us that. The Great British Circus, had some bad publicity over the groom incident with the elephants being hit with a brush! True, the groom should never have done it and when the circus management discovered what was going on, sacked him and made sure he went back home. The elephants left the show for several weeks and were given a full independant vet inspection to make sure they were ok. They were fully fit and totally healthy and so returned to the show to delight the audiences.
All circus animals are subject to inspections by vets, often unannounced to check their health and welfare.
Considering how much press the anti circus community get to tell their tales of cruelty etc etc, its rather strange that circuses are not being prosecuted more often. Given how many claims are made by groups in the media, its strange their is hardly ever any documented evidence to back their claims!
As for Gerry Cottle on Radio 4, i too have listened to this and whilst the other person being interviewed seemed quite keen on animals, it was Gerry who said different. Gerry is a good PR man, always was and he always says what he thinks people want to hear! He sadly forgets just how successfull his traditional animal circus was and forgets quicker just how much money he lost in 2 years with his non animal circus. He currently runs the Wookey Hole Caves attraction in Somerset and his current involvement in British circus is limited to a third party using his name only for their touring show.
I personally believe, with regulation which is what the circus industry has been asking for, for a number a years, that traditional animal circus still has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and education, providing people will let it.
I see zoo's, also got a bashing in the Sunday Express from one MP, who it seems overstepped her position and remit. Seems the Government are going no where near zoo's. No, the Zoo Federation is a very powerful and large body. Its easy to pick the circuses off, as this in comparision, is quite a small group.”

“I wish these antis would leave the circus alone those animals have had a clean bill of health and they are cared for and you get a load of kids protesting have they got nothing else to do why dont they get a job .
i love the circus and long may it live.”

“I listened to the Gerry Cottle interview on Radio 4's Today programme.
Gerry Cottle has been a highly respected member of the circus industry for many years and he is still very actively involved today. In this interview he speaks passionately and intelligently about 'circus'.
He, himself, gave up using animals 20 years ago and he expresses a wish (almost a plea) that some of his peers would accept that animal circus is over and move on, fearing that circuses will never be accepted properly until this happens. It's worth a listen if you're interested.”

“Boo hoo hooo Andrew Lewis. Domestic animals next - all the better! Long live the circus (but not the nasty ones)!”

“The Great British Circus is brilliant,all the animals are well fed and well looked after.Long live the Circus .”